Before a cancer scan, patients are typically injected with a “tracer.” This is a harmless chemical that is absorbed by cancer cells so the PET or CT scan can measure the size and prevalence of cancer in the body. The problem is that brown fat, which is particularly common in thin women, also readily absorbs this tracer, making what is normal body fat appear to be cancer.
Previously, the best way to deal with brown fat would be to give the patient valium or beta-blockers before the scan. Both drugs work by inhibiting the amount of tracer the brown fat can absorb by up to 30 percent. The blanket, however, offers a much cheaper, convenient and even more effective way to improve the accuracy of these scans. One study, presented at the 2006 Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting in San Diego, showed that the blanket technique reduced tracer uptake by as much as 62 percent.
“A warm blanket is more than twice as effective, and patients don’t have to worry about negative drug interactions or how they are going to get home after their scan.” said Osman.
